Event Policies and Practices

This page includes all policies, practices, and disclaimers for Leading Locally 2023, including:

Registration Cancellation

All Leading Locally 2023 registration cancellations must be submitted in writing to registration@cof.org. All cancellation refunds prior to May 14, 2023, will incur a 25% administrative fee. No refunds will be provided after May 14, 2023.

Code of Conduct

The Council on Foundations (Council) is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all conference participants and Council staff. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, session organizers, sponsors, vendors, philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs), Council staff members, service providers, and all others are expected to abide by this Leading Locally 2023 Conference Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct applies to Leading Locally 2023 and all virtual and in-person Council meeting-related events, including those sponsored by organizations other than the Council but held in conjunction with Council events, on public or private platforms.

Do:

• Engage and interact with attendees, speakers, session organizers, sponsors, vendors, PSOs, Council staff, and service providers throughout the conference
• Participate during sessions with comments and questions and engage in respectful and civil communications
• Respect confidentiality requests by speakers and other attendees

Don't:

• Record, post or transmit content from any plenary session, concurrent session, guest speaker, break, video, or other Leading Locally 2023 activity without credit or for a fee
• Post your own services, products, or causes unless requested by Council staff
• Disrupt sessions or other activities, attendees must comply with the instructions of the session moderator, speaker, and Council staff
• Harass, intimidate, stalk, or threaten anyone participating in Leading Locally 2023
• Make abusive verbal comments that include, but are not limited to, comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity, and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations

Reporting Code of Conduct Violations:

If, while participating in Leading Locally 2023, you have been involved in or have witnessed an incident that violates the Council’s Code of Conduct, inform Melanie Freeman, Director, Conferences & Events, melanie.freeman@cof.org or 202-991-5861, or Kristen Scott Kennedy, Vice President, Strategy & Organizational Effectiveness and Chief of Staff, kristen.scottkennedy@cof.org, (202) 991-5919 so that we can take the appropriate action

Consequences:

The Council reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from Leading Locally 2023 without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, and the Council reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future Council meeting, event, or program, presented virtually or in person.

Accessibility

We will also make every effort to ensure that the conference experience is accessible to all who want to participate. This includes ensuring that those with disabilities have full access to the conference. We will take the following specific actions:

• Ensure that real-time interpretation or close captioning is available for those who request this accommodation by May 14, 2023.
• Ensure that the website is ADA compliant.
• Ensure that all event spaces are ADA compliant.
• Provide attendees with the opportunity to identify the need for accommodation requirements during registration.
• Reserve wheelchair spaces during general and breakout sessions.
• Ensure ample aisle space (36-60”) for attendees who use mobility supports.
• Remind presenters and designers to use large, simple, and San serif fonts for displayed presentations.
• Advise designers and presenters on appropriate color palettes.

We will work to ensure further compliance with best practice in these areas. If you have any questions about accommodations or need additional assistance, please contact melanie.freeman@cof.org.

A special thanks to our Accessibility Sponsor, Ekstrom Alley Clontz & Associates.

No Solicitation Policy

Council events are not opportunities for solicitation of any kind, including asking for business, fund management, or grants. All types of solicitation are strictly prohibited. For more information, read our no solicitation policy.

Event Photo/Video/Recording Disclaimer

By entering the event premises, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for promotional purposes, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by the Council and its affiliates and representatives. Images, photos and/or videos may be used to highlight and/or promote similar Council events in the future. You release the Council, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, video and/or sound recordings. You waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, or other publication of these materials.